Zoom lens for normal and close-up photography

ABSTRACT

A zoom lens which can carry out conventional zoom lens functions so as to vary the focal length of an objective in a continuous manner while maintaining the object in sharp focus at the image plane. The zoom lens has a lens assembly capable of being displaced along the optical axis by a manually operable means. A transmission transmits movement of the manually operable means to a second lens assembly which is also displaced in this way along the optical axis. However, it is possible to disconnect the transmission from the manually operable means, so that while the second lens assembly remains stationary it is possible to move only the first lens assembly by way of the manually operable means. In this way it is possible to utilize the zoom lens, not only for normal zoom lens functions, but also for the purpose of close-up photography.

I TV I L) O Umted Stat r [151 3,655,271 Suzuki 7 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 541ZOOM LENS FOR NORMAL AND 3,465,662 9/1969 Kashiwase ..350/|s7 x CLOSE-UPPHOTOGRAPHY P EX J h K C b rtma ammero n or m [72] Inventor: YasuoSuzuki, Kashrwa, Japan Anamg, steinberg and Blake [73] Assignee: SunKoki Kabushiki Kaisha, lchikawa-shi,

Chiba-ken, Japan ABSTRACT [22] Filed: May 11, 1970 A zoom lens which cancarry out conventional zoom lens functions so as to vary the focallength of an objective in a PP 36,243 continuous manner whilemaintaining the object in sharp focus at the image plane. The zoom lenshas a lens assembly 0 Foreign Application p i i D capable of beingdisplaced along the optical axis by a manually operable means. Atransmission transmits movement of the May l 1969 Japan ..44/45269manually Operable means to a Second lens assembly which is alsodisplaced in this way along the optical axis. However, it is [52] U.S.C|.350/18295/43 possible to disconnect the transmission from the manua), 11].". Cl. operable means, so that while the Second lens assembly Fleldof Search remains Stationary it is possible to move y the first lenssembly by way of the manually operable means. In this way it [56]References cued is possible to utilize the zoom lens, not only fornormal zoom UNITED STATES PATENTS lens functions, but also for thepurpose of close-up photography. 3,277,783 10/1966 Eggert ..350/l87$118,359 1/1964 Leitz etal. ..350/l87 15 Claims, 12 Drawing FlguresPatented April 11, 1 972 3,655,271

7 SheetS -Sheet l INVENTOR YAsuo suzuK: BY

M 5 ATT NEYS Patented April 11, 1972 3,655,271

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR YASUO SUZUKI A ORNEYS Patented April 11, 19723,655,271

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 mvsrfion YAsuo SUZUKI ATTOR E'Y5 Patented April 11,1972 v 3,655,271

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR YASUC) 5 UZUKI W 5 64A,, ATT RNEYS Pater ntedApril 11, 1972 3,655,271

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR YAsuo suz u K I B J I A: FOiNfi Patented April11, 1972 3,655,271

7 Sheets-Sheet 7 luvsu'ron YASUO SUZUKI JW M A ORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to photographic structures.

In particular, the present invention relates to zoom lenses.

As is well-known, zoom lens structures are capable of being manipulatedso as to provide a continuously variable focal length while maintainingan object imaged sharply at the focal plane.

Structures of this type generally include a plurality of lens assemblieswhich move along the optical axis to bring about the variable focallength. Rotary movement given by the operator to manually operablestructure at the exterior of the lens barrel, is transmitted to theinterior of the lens barrel so as to bring about the relative movementbetween the interior lens assemblies which results in the normalfunctions ofa conventional zoom lens.

However, such conventional zoom lens structures suffer from the drawbackof being of limited utility in that the lens assemblies which aremovable along the common optical axis are necessarily constrained tohave given positions relative to each other depending upon the manualsetting of the zoom lens structure. Thus, while such structures areperfectly satisfactory for providing a variable focal length for a zoomlens objective within a given range, it is not possible to utilize aconventional zoom lens for close-up photography where it is necessary toprovide a sharp image of an object which is relatively close to theobjective, because close-up photography requires lens assemblies whichmust have with respect to each other a position completely differentfrom that which can be achieved with conventional zoom lenses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of theinvention to provide a construction which will enable a zoom lens tocarry out not only normal, conventional zoom lens operations but whichin addition will enable a zoom lens to carry out close-up photography.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple,easily manipulated structure which gives the operator the possibility ofmoving at least one lens assembly of a zoom lens with respect to anotherin a manner completely different from which has heretofore been possibleand in a manner which will enable close-up photography operations to becarried out, while at the same time retaining for the zoom lens allofits normal functions.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a constructionwhich will prevent the zoom lens from departing from its normal zoomlens functions unless a given lens assembly is properly positioned forclose-up photography.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction whichwill reliably maintain a given lens assembly in a position which isproper for close-up photography as long as the zoom lens has not reacheda position where the interior lens assemblies thereof are locatedproperly for normal zoom lens operations.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction capableof achieving the above objects with relatively simple, inexpensive, andcompact components which do not materially increase the cost of aconventional zoom lens.

According to the invention, the zoom lens has a pair of lens assemblieswhich have a common axis and a support means which supports the pair oflens assemblies for movement along this common axis. A manually operablemeans is operatively connected with one of the lens assemblies fordisplacing it along its axis, and a transmission means has a normalengaged position engaged with the manually operable means fortransmitting movement thereof to the other of the lens assemblies forsimultaneously displacing the latter along the axis thereof as the firstlens assembly is axially displaced. This transmission means, however,has also a disengaged position where there is an interruption in thetransmission of movement from the I manually operable means to thesecond lens assembly, and

thus when the transmission means is disengaged, this latter lensassembly will remain stationary while the manually operable means movesonly the first of the lens assemblies. These latter conditions aresuitable for close-up photography. A selecting means coacts with thetransmission means for selectively placing it in its engaged ordisengaged positions, so that through this selecting means it ispossible to select either normal zoom lens operations or zoom lensoperation for close-up photography.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by way ofexample in the accompanying drawings which form part of this applicationand in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken in a plane containingthe optical axis of the illustrated zoom lens structure and showing apair of axially displaceable lens assemblies and the structure of theinvention which coacts therewith;

F162 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2of F IG.1 in the direction of the arrows, with FIG.2 being partly brokenaway so as to more clearly illustrate the structure of the invention;

FIGS is a diagrammatic representation of camming slots of a main cammingcylinder;

FIGA is a fragmentary front elevation of another embodiment of areleasable transmission means of the invention;

FIGS is a fragmentary axial section of the structure of FIG.4 takenalong line 5-5 of FIG.4 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG.6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a further embodiment of thereleasable motion transmitting structure of the invention;

FIG.7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 7-7 of FIG.6in the direction of the arrows;

FIG.8 is a longitudinal elevation which shows in axial section above acentral horizontal plane a further embodiment of a zoom lens accordingto the invention;

F169 is a transverse section of the structure of F IG.8 taken at thatpart thereof where a releasable connecting means of the invention islocated;

FIG.10 is a longitudinal elevation, the upper half of which is in asectional plane which contains the optical axis, illustrating a furtherembodiment of a zoom lens of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a transverse section of the upper part of F [0.10illustrating further details of the structure; and

FIG.I2 is a schematic fragmentary top plan view of the structure ofFIGS.10 and 11 further illustrating the manner in which this structureoperates.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS.l-3, theillustrated structure includes a manually operable means formed in partby an outer rotary ring 1 which can be turned about the optical axis bythe operator. The ring 1 has a projecting knob 4 projecting radiallyfrom the ring I. As is apparent from the upper portion of FIGJ, the knob4 is turnable about a radial axis extending radially with respect to theoptical axis, and this knob 4 forms part of a selecting means for apurpose described below. This selecting means is operatively connectedwith a connecting means formed in part by a connecting portion 3. Thisconnecting portion 3 is in the form of a member turnable with the knob 4and situated in a space defined between the ring I and the exteriorsurface of the main cam cylinder 9 which forms the support means for theillustrated structure. A spring 2 acts to urge the connecting plate 3 torotate in a counterclockwise direction, opposite to the directionindicated by the arrow A in FIG.2. The releasable connecting meansincludes, in addition to the connecting portion 3, a connecting portion5 in the form of a plate fixed to a second rotary ring 6 which forms asecond manually operable means and which together with the elements 3and 5 forms part of a transmission means for transmitting movement fromthe manually operable means formed in part by the ring 1. The connectingportion formed by the plate 5 has a projection 7 received in a recess 8of the connecting portion 3. Thus, as long as the projection 7 is in therecess 8, the releasable connecting means formed by the portions 3 and 5places the transmission means which includes the ring 6 in an engagedposition engaged with the manually operable means formed in part by thering 1, so that when the operator turns the latter the ring 6 will alsoturn.

The support means is formed by a main cam cylinder 9, as referred toabove, and this main cam cylinder 9 has camming slots 10 and 10 theconfiguration of which is schematically represented in FlG.3. Themanually operable means which includes the sleeve 1 also includes a pin12 received in an inner axial groove 13 of the ring 1 and extendingthrough the camming slot 10. Within the cylinder 9 the pin 12 is fixedwith an auxiliary camming cylinder 11 which forms part of the manuallyoperable means and which is formed with a camming slot 17 receiving apin 19 which is fixed to and projects radially from a first lensassembly 18 supported by the support means 9 for movement along theoptical axis. The main cylinder 9 is formed with an interior axialgroove 20 receiving the outer end portion of the pin 19. It is apparent,therefore, that when the manually operable means formed by the train ofelements 1, 12, 11, and 19 is operated by manual turning of the ring 1,the lens assembly 18 will be displaced along the optical axis.

The rotary ring 6 is formed with an inner axial groove 16 receiving theouter end of a pin 15 which extends through the camming slot 10. At itsinner end the pin 15 is connected to an auxiliary camming sleeve 14formed with a camming slot 21 through which a pin 23 extends. The outerend of the pin 23 is received in a axial groove 24 formed at theinterior of the main cylinder 9, and at its inner end the pin 23 isfixed with a second, outer lens assembly 22. Thus, the second manuallyoperable means, which forms part of the transmission means from thefirst manually operable means, includes the ring 6, the pin 15, theauxiliary cylinder 14, and the pin 23. When the connecting means formedby components 3 and 5 is in its connecting position shown in F 16.2, thetransmission means from the first manually operable means to the secondlens assembly 22 is engaged so that both of the lens assemblies 18 and22 are constrained to be displaced simultaneously along the commonoptical axis as determined by the configuration of the camming slots 10and 10' indicated in FlG.3. in this way these lens assemblies 18 and 22can carry out normal zoom lens functions.

As may be seen from FlG.2, the ring 1 has in its interior a pin 25situated in the path of turning movement of the connecting member 3 soas to limit the extent to which the latter can turn in the direction ofthe arrow A.

In order to adapt this embodiment of the invention for close-upphotography, the manually operable means which includes the ring 1 isoperated until the pins 12 and 15 are brought to the ends of the cammingslots 10 and 10, as indicated in solid lines in FlG.3. The result ofthis operation is that the pair of lens assemblies 18 and 22 areinitially situated at predetermined locations along the optical axis. Atthis time, the knob 4, which forms a selecting means for thisembodiment, is turned in the direction of the arrow A so that theconnecting element 3 is displaced away from the connecting element 5 andthe projection 7 of the latter is no longer received in the recess 8 ofthe former. The result is that the transmission means has now beenplaced by the selecting means in its disengaged position interruptingtransmission of movement from the manually operable means connected tothe lens assembly 18 to the lens assembly 22. At this time, the ring 1is rotated while the ring 6 remains stationary so that while the pin 15remains at the position shown in FIG.3, the pin 12 will be displacedalong the camming slot 10, in the manner indicated by the arrow B andphantom lines in FlG.3. In this way it is possible to axially displacethe lens assembly 18 while the lens assembly 22 remains at itspredetermined location. With thisharrangement, it is possible to carryout close-up photograp y.

In order to resume normal zoom lens photography, the ring 1 is simplyreturned to its initial angular position so that the connecting element3 will resume its connected relationship with respect to the connectingelement 5, the projection of the latter being automatically receivedwithin the recess 8 as the element 3 snaps over the tip 7 of element 5upon return of the ring 1 to its initial position. The result is thatthe selecting means has now returned the transmission means to itsengaged position, and now rotary movement of the ring 1 will be transmitted to the ring 6 and through the latter and the remainder of thetransmission means to the lens assembly 22. Thus, normal zoomingoperations will now be resumed.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGSA and 5,the releasable connecting means includes a member 26 fixed to andprojecting radially from the ring 1. The connecting element 3 in thiscase is pivotally supported on the member 26 by way of a pivot pin 28carried by the latter. A spring 27 normally maintains the element 3 inan upright, disconnected position, the spring 27 urging the element 3 inthe direction of the arrow C of FlG.5.

A member 29 is fixed to the second rotary ring 6, and this member 29carries a pivot 30 which supports the second connecting element 5 forswinging movement about an axis normal to the plane of FIGS, extendinghorizontally in FIG.4. Thus, the pin 30 supports element 5 for pivotalmovement, and element 5 terminates in the projecting portion 7 receivedin the recess 8 of the member 3. This recess 8 is formed in this case bya shoulder, as is apparent from FIGS.4 and 5. A manually engagable lever31 is fixed to and projects from element 5 so that the operator can atany time turn the element 5 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS.Thus, element 31 forms a selecting means. A spring assembly 32 coactswith element 29 and element 5 to urge the latter in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIGS, to a location where the projection 7 issituated in the recess 8. When the operator presses downwardly on theselecting element 31, projection 7 is displaced away from recess 8 sothat spring 27 can now turn connecting element 3 to its upright,disconnected position. In this way the selecting means places thetransmission means which includes the ring 6 in its disengaged position.Ring 1 can now be turned independently of ring 6. Thus, in order tocarry out close-up photography, while the transmission means is in theengaged position shown in FIGSA and 5, the rings 1 and 6 are turned soas to locate the pins 12 and 15 at the position shown in FlG.3. Exceptfor the differences shown in FIGS/1 and 5,

the structure of this embodiment is identical with that of FlGS.l-3.When the pins 12 and 15 have been located at the solid line positionshown in F163 the operator will engage the selecting means 31 so as torelease the connecting means 3,5 for movement to its disconnectingposition interrupting the transmission from the ring 1 to the ring 6.Now the ring 1 can be turned to carry out close-up photographyoperations. In order to resume normal zoom lens operations, the ring 1is returned to its initial position and the operator swings the element3 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.5 in opposition to thespring 27, causing the projection 7 to snap into the recess 8, and nowthe transmission means is again engaged so that manipulation of themanually operable means which includes the sleeve 1 will have the motionthereof transmitted to the front or outer lens assembly 22.

It will be noted that in the above embodiments the connecting portions 3and 5 are located at those portions of the rings 1 and 6 where theperipheries of the latter adjoin each other. The same is true of theembodiment of FIGS.6 and 7 where the transmission between the rings 1and 6 can be engaged or disengaged by way of a selecting means whichincludes an element 33 which can be engaged and turned by the operatorbetween the solid and dotted line positions shown in F106 This element33 has a radially extending plate portion extending outwardly andaccessible to the operator. This plate portion is fixed at its inner endto a circular plate portion which fonns part of a circle, actually justover a semi-circle, as is apparent from F [6.6. This circular portion isreceived in circular grooves formed in the peripheral edge of arcuaterecesses of the peripheral portions of the rings 1 and 6, so that whenthe latter have, with respect to each other, the angular position shownin FlG.6, a complete circular groove is formed to receive the circularpart of the selecting means and connecting means 33. When the outwardlyextending radial portion of the latter is in the solid line position ofF [G6, the circular portion extends into the arcuate grooves of bothrings 1 and 6, and they are thus connected for rotation as a unit. Onthe other hand, by turning the outwardly projecting portion to thedotted line position shown in FlG.6, the connecting element 33 is nolonger in overlapping relation with respect to the ring 6, and now thering 1 together with the element 33 can be turned with respect to thering 6 which remains stationary. Otherwise, the details of thisembodiment are the same as those of FlGS.1-4, so that it is apparentthat with the simple structure of FlG.6 and 7 it is also possible tocarry out both close-up photography and normal zoom lens operations.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in F K358 and 9,the first manually operable means includes a ring 35 surrounded by thering 1 and connected to the latter for turning movement therewith. Therotary movement of the ring 35 is transmitted to the inner lens assembly18 so as to shift the latter along the optical axis, in the mannerdescribed above in connection with FlG.l. The transmission means orsecond manually operable means includes a ring 36 surrounded by the ring6 which is shown in F168 and operating in the same way as the latter, inconnection with the embodiment of FlG.l, for bringing about axialmovement of the front or outer lens assembly 22. When the transmissionmeans described below is engaged, these rings 35 and 36'will rotate as aunit about the main cam cylinder 9 which forms the support means for thelens assemblies 18 and 22.

The releasable connecting means of this embodiment includes oneconnecting portion formed by a swingable lever 37 and a secondconnecting portion formed by part of the ring 36 which is formed withthe recess 40. This recess 40 receives the free end 39 of the lever 36which is carried by a pivot 38 which is mounted on the ring 35 and hasan axis parallel to the optical axis. A spring 44 coacts with the lever37 for normally maintaining the end 39 of lever 37 in the recess 40, sothat normally the transmission means is engaged and movement of themanually operable means 1, 35 will be transmitted to the front lensassembly 22.

At its end 41 which is distant from the projection 39, the lever 37 hasa rearwardly extending axial lug 42 which projects behind a button 43.The spring 44 thus acts also to maintain the lug 42 in a position urgingthe button 43 outwardly to the location illustrated most clearly inFIGS.8 and 9.

With this embodiment, the ring 36 of the transmission means or secondmanually operable means is formed with a radial bore 46 which receives apin 45 which forms a control means for this embodiment. This pin 45 hasan outer head portion 48 which is urged outwardly by a spring 47. Inthis way the pin 48 is urged against the inner portion 49 of lever 37.The main cam cylinder or support means 9 is formed with a bore 50 whichcan receive the control pin 45 when the ring 36 is in the angularposition shown in FIG.9 with respect to the cylinder 9.

In order to carry out close-up photography with the embodiment of H058and 9, the manually operable means of this embodiment is actuated tolocate the lens assemblies 18 and 22 at positions corresponding to thelocations of the pins 12 and in F163, as described above in connectionwith FlG.l, so that the pair of lens assemblies are in the extremetelephoto positions. It is at this time that the ring 36 will have theangular position indicated in F109. The operator will now depress thebutton 43 inwardly toward the optical axis, so that the lever 37 isswung in opposition to the spring 44 in a counterclockwise directionabout the pin 38, as viewed in FIG.9. Thus, the end 39 of lever 37 isdisplaced out of the recess 40. In this way the selecting means formedby element 43 and the connecting means formed by lever 37 and theportion of ring 36 formed with recess 40 are actuated to place thetransmission means to the lens assembly 22 in its disengaged position.Simultaneously with this operation, the end of the lever 37 distant fromits projection 39 presses with its surface 49 against the pin '45 todisplace the latter into the recess 50. This operation provides aconnection between the main cylinder 9 and the ring 36. Thus, the pin 45forms a control means which prevents movement of the lens assembly 22 aslong as the ring 36 is locked in the position shown in F lG.9 by theextension of the pin 45 into the recess 50.

Now the manually operable means, which includes the rings 1 and 35, canbe manipulated to displace the lens assembly 18 while the lens assembly22 remains stationary, and thus it is possible to carry out close-upphotography operations. Of course, the rotary movement of the manuallyoperable means 1, 35 of this embodiment will displace the surface 49 oflever 37 away from the pin 45, but the pin 45 is nevertheless kept inits locking position extending into the recess 50 of main cam cylinder 9without any possibility of the pin 45 moving out of the recess 50inasmuch as the interior surface of the ring 35 slides over and engagesthe head 48 of the pin 45 so as to maintain the latter in its lockingposition. it is only when the manually operable means 1, 35 has beenreturned to the position shown in F169 that the spring 47 can expand todisplace the control pin 45 out of the bore 50 and again into engagementwith the surface 49 of the lever 37. It will be noted that this returnof the ring 35 to the angular position illustrated in FIG.9 enables thespring 44 to introduce the projection 39 into the recess 40, so that theconnecting means now is in its connecting position reestablishing theengaged position of the transmission means for transmitting movementfrom the manually operable means 1, 35 to the lens assembly 22. Thus,simultaneously with the entry of the projection 39 into the recess 40,the control pin 45 moves out of the recess 50. Now the rings 35 and 36will rotate together as one unit.

It is to be noted that when the rings 35 and 36 are not at thepredetermined angular position illustrated in FIG.9, situating the lensassemblies 18 and 22 at the predetermined locations along the opticalaxis corresponding to the positions of the pins 12 and 15 in FlG.3,which is the extreme telephoto positions of these lenses, any attempt topress the button 43 will not result in any disengagement of thetransmission means. At this time, the inner end of the control pin 45will simply engage the exterior surface of the cam cylinder 9, and sinceit will not be possible for the pin 45 to move radially toward theoptical axis, it will not be possible for any depression on the button43 to displace the projection 39 out of the recess 40. lt is clear,therefore, that the control pin 45 together with that portion of themain cylinder 9 which is formed with the recess 50 coact to form acontrol means which prevents the selecting means 43 from being actuatedto place the transmission means in its disengaged position unless thelens assemblies 18 and 22 have been first situated at the locationsalong the optical axis which will be determined by the angular positionof the ring 35 shown in F109. Moreover, as long as the transmissionmeans is in its disengaged position, with the ring 35 displaced from theangular position thereof shown in FlG.9, the control means 45, 50 actsto maintain the lens assembly 22 locked in its predetermined location,and it will not be possible to displace the lens assembly away from thisposition until the ring 35 again has been returned to the position shownin FlG.9.

' Thus, during normal zoom lens operations, the control means 45, 50acts to prevent actuation of the manually operable means 1, 35independently of the manually operable means 6, 36 unless the lensassemblies Hand 22 are first situated in the required predeterminedlocations.

With the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS.10-l2,the selecting means includes an axially movable pin 51 axially movablethrough an axial bore which is formed in the ring 1 of the manuallyoperable means. This elongated pin 51 has a rear end 52 operativelyconnected with a knob 53 which is accessible to the operator. At itsfront end 54, the selecting pin 51 bears against the rear end of asecond axially movable pin 55 which is urged rearwardly by the leafspring 63. A spring 56 is coiled about the pin 51 forwardly of itsenlarged rear end 52 so as to urge the pin 51 in the direction of thearrow A indicated in 1 16.10. At its front tip 54 the pin 51 has a lowerslanting surface 57 acting as a cam and engaging the outer end ofacontrol pin 58 of this embodiment. A spring 59 is coiled about a portionof the control pin 58 beneath its enlarged upper end so as to urge thepin 58 outwardly away from the optical axis in the direction indicatedby the arrow B. A stop ring 60 surrounds the main cam cylinder 9 and isformed with the radial bore 62 which receives the control pin 58. Thecam cylinder 9 is formed with a recess or radial bore 61 into which thecontrol pin 58 can move when the ring 60 is in the angular positionindicated in FIG.10. It will be noted that the spring 63 also urges thepin 55 in the direction of the arrow A.

The spring 63 urges the pin 55 through and beyond the axial bore 64 ofthe stop ring 60 into an axial bore portion 65 of the ring 1. It is thisbore 65 which receives the front tip 54 of the selecting pin 51. Thus,as long as the pin 55 extends into the opening 65, the connecting meansformed by the pin 55 and portions of rings 1 and 60 formed with theopenings which receive the pin 55 is in its connecting position placingthe transmission means in an engaged position to transmit movement fromthe manually operable means 1 to the front or outer lens assembly 22.The elements at the location where the selecting means and connectingmeans are located to place the transmission means in and out ofengagement are illustrated schematically in 1 10.12 which clearly showsthe operation of these components.

in order to carry out close-up photography with this embodiment, themanually operable means 1 is operated, while the ring 60 is connectedthereto through the pin 55, so that the lens assemblies 19 and 22 willassume their extreme telephoto positions corresponding to the positionsof the pins 12 and in FlG.3. Once the parts have reached this position,the operator will engage the knob 53 and displace the selecting means 51forwardly, in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FlG.l2. Theresult is that the front tip 54 displaces the connecting pin out of theopening 65 of the ring 1, in opposition to the force of the spring 63,and at the same time the slanting camming surface 57 of the selectingpin 51 depresses the control pin 58 inwardly toward the optical axis, inthe direction of the arrow D indicated in FlG.l0, so that the inner endof the control pin 58 will be received in the recess 61 of the main camcylinder 9. The result is that the control pin 58 now locks the ring tothe main cam cylinder 9, and the lens assembly 22 remains locked in itspredetermined location along the optical axis. The knob 53 may berotated and retained in a rotated position by an unillustrated detentassembly. This will act to maintain the selecting pin 51 forwardly atits location preventing the return of the pin 55 into the opening andreturn of the control pin 58 outwardly from the recess 61. Now it ispossible for the operator to rotate the manually operable means 1 so asto move only the lens assembly l8, and thus the close-up operations canbe carried out. At this time the front lens assembly 22 is locked andheld in a stationary position.

in order to return the components to the position for carrying outnormal zoom lens operations, the releasable detent acting on the knob 53is released so that the spring 56 can expand to return the selecting pin51 rearwardly to its initial position, and of course the spring 63 isnow capable of returning the pin 55 into the opening 65. Thus, as soonas the ring 1 is returned to the angular position where the opening 65will receive the pin 55, the pin 58 will return outwardly from theopening 61 and the connecting means 55 now interconnects the drivetransmission fromthe manually operable means 1 to the lens assembly 22,so that normal zoom lens functions will now be carried out. It will benoted that with this embodiment of FlCiS.10-12 the control means formedby the pin 58 and the portion of cylinder 9 which is formed with thebore 61 acts also on the one hand to prevent the transmission means frombeing disengaged until the lens assemblies 18 and 22 have been locatedat the predetermined locations indicated in FlG.10 and on the other handto prevent displacement of the lens assembly 22 away from thepredetermined location during close-up photography operations until theparts again have the position shown in F 10.10.

It is apparent, therefore, that with the above-described structure ofthe invention a single zoom lens enables an operator selectively tocarry out both normal zoom lens operations as well as close-upphotography operations simply by interconnecting and disconnecting apair of rotary rings at the exterior of the lens barrel.

What is claimed is:

1. In a zoom lens, a pair of coaxial lens assemblies, support meanssupporting said assemblies for movement along their common axis,manually operable means operatively connected with one of saidassemblies for displacing the latter along said axis, transmission meansoperatively connected with the other of said lens assemblies andnormally having an engaged position engaged with said manually operablemeans for transmitting movement therefrom to the other of said lensassemblies for displacing the latter also along said axis, saidtransmission means having a disengaged position providing for movementof said manually operable means independently of said transmission meanswithout transmission of movement from said manually operable means tothe other of said lens assemblies, and selecting means coacting withsaid transmission means for selectively placing the latter in saidengaged or disengaged positions thereof, so that when said selectingmeans places said transmission means in said disengaged positionthereof, said manually operable means will displace only said one lensassembly along said axis for enabling close-up photography to be carriedout with the zoom lens, said lens assemblies including an outer, frontlens assembly and an inner, rear lens assembly, said manually operablemeans being connected to said inner, rear lens assembly for displacingthe latter while said transmission means is operatively connected tosaid outer, front lens assembly for transmitting movement thereto fromsaid manually operable means when said selecting means places saidtransmission means in said engaged position thereof, whereby when saidlens assemblies are in an extreme telephoto position said selectingmeans can be actuated to place said transmission means in saiddisengaged position thereof so that said manually operable means willthen move said inner, rear lens assembly with respect to said outer,front lens assembly to carry out close-up photography.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said manually operable meansoperatively connected to said one lens assembly forms a first manuallyoperable means, said transmission means including a second manuallyoperable means operatively connected to the other of said lensassemblies for displacing the latter along said axis, and saidtransmission means further including a connecting means for normallyreleasably connecting said first and second manually operable means toeach other for movement as a unit and for disconnecting said first andsecond manually operable means from each other when said transmissionmeans is in said disengaged position thereof, said selecting meanscoacting with said connecting means for displacing the latter betweenpositions respectively connecting said first and second manuallyoperable means to each other and disconnecting said first and secondmanually operable means from each other.

3. The combination of claim 2 and wherein each of said manually operablemeans includes a rotary ring supported by said support means forrotation about said axis and a camming structure actuated by said ringand operatively connected with a lens assembly for displacing the latteralong said axis in response to rotary movement of said ring.

4. The combination of claim 2 and wherein said connecting means includesa pair of connecting portions respectively connected operatively withsaid first and second manually operable means and one of which has aprojection and the other of which has a recess receiving said projectionwhen said pair of connecting portions coact to place said connectingmeans in said connecting position thereof, said selecting means beingoperatively connected with one of said connecting portions fordisplacing it away from the other of said connecting portions to placesaid connecting means in its disconnecting position to interrupt thetransmission of motion from said first and second manually operablemeans.

5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said rings have adjoiningperipheral portions, and said connecting portions of said connectingmeans being located at said adjoining peripheral portions of said rings.

6. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said support means is formedwith a recess and said second manually operable means carries a pinmovable into said recess only when said ring of said second manuallyoperable means is in a given angular position locating said other, frontlens assembly at said extreme telephoto position, said pin normallypreventing said selecting means from placing said connecting means inits disconnecting position except when said pin is free to move intosaid recess of said support means, so that the interruption in thetransmission of motion from said first to said second manually operablemeans can take place only when said other, front lens assembly is atsaid extreme telephoto position along said axis.

7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said first manually operablemeans maintains said pin in said recess of said support means, toprevent displacement of said other lens assembly from said extremetelephoto position along said axis, as long as said first manuallyoperable means is at a position different from the position it had whendisconnected from said second manually operable means.

8. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said connecting portionconnected with said first manually operable means is in the form of alever turnably connected with said first manually operable means forswinging movement between engaged and disengaged positions, said leverbeing formed with said recess and the other of said connecting portionsbeing operatively connected with said second manually operable means andhaving said projection received in said recess when said lever is insaid engaged position thereof.

9. The combination of claim 8 and wherein said lever is swingable aboutan axis which extends radially with respect to the optical axis.

10. The combination of claim 8 and wherein said lever is swingable aboutan axis situated in a plane which is normal to the optical axis.

11. In a zoom lens a pair of coaxial lens assemblies, support meanssupporting said assemblies for movement along their common axis,manually operable means operatively connected with one of saidassemblies for displacing the latter along said axis, transmission meansoperatively connected with the other of said lens assemblies andnormally having an engaged position engaged with said manually operablemeans for transmitting movement therefrom to the other of said lensassemblies for displacing the latter also along said axis, saidtransmission means having a disengaged position providing for movementof said manually operable means independently of said transmission meanswithout transmission of movement from said manually operable means tothe other of said lens assemblies, selecting means coacting with saidtransmission means for selectively placing the latter in said engaged ordisengaged positions thereof, so that when said selecting means placessaid transmission means in said disengaged position thereof, saidmanually operable means will displace only said one lens assembly alongsaid axis for enabling close-up photography to be carried out with thezoom lens, and control means coacting with said selecting means forpreventing the latter from placing said transmission means in saiddisengaged position thereof unless said other lens assembly is at apredeterminedlqcati on alon said axis. j

. The combination of c arm 11 and wherein said control means coacts withsaid transmission means, when the latter is in its disengaged position,for releasably holding said other lens assembly at said predeterminedlocation until said selecting means again returns said transmissionmeans to said engaged position thereof.

13. The combination of claim 12 and wherein said other lens assembly isan outer, front lens assembly while said one lens assembly is an inner,rear lens assembly, said lens assemblies being situated in an extremetelephoto position when said transmission means is engaged and saidfront lens assembly is at said predetermined location.

14. The combination of claim 11 and wherein said transmission meansincludes a connecting means for releasably connecting said lensassemblies, said connecting means including a swingable lever carried bysaid manually operable means and having a projecting end portion, andsaid other lens assembly having a portion formed with a recess forreceiving said projecting end portion of said lever when saidtransmission means is in said engaged position thereof, said selectingmeans being operatively connected to said lever for displacing thelatter to and from an engaged position where said end por tion is insaid recess, said lever being swingable about an axis parallel to theoptical axis, and said control means including a pin carried by saidother lens assembly for radial movement toward and away from the opticalaxis, said support means being formed with a recess for receiving saidpin when the latter is displaced toward said optical axis and saidrecess being aligned with said pin only when said other lens assembly isat said predetermined location, said lever when actuated by saidselecting means to displace said projecting end portion thereof out ofsaid recess of said other lens assembly to disengage said lensassemblies acting on said pin for displacing the latter into said recessof said support means, and said one lens assembly maintaining said pinin said recess of said support means except when said one lens assemblyis returned to the position it had with respect to said other lensassembly when the transmission means was displaced to its disengagedposi- On.

15. The combination of claim 11 and wherein said transmission meansincludes a connecting means for connecting and disconnecting said lensassemblies from each other, said connecting means including an elongatedpin carried by said other lens assembly and extending parallel to theoptical axis, said one lens assembly having a portion formed with anopening for receiving said pin for connecting said lens assemblies toeach other, said selecting means including an elongated rod manuallydisplaceable parallel to the optical axis into engagement with said pinfor displacing the latter out of said opening of said one lens assemblyto disconnect said lens assemblies from each other, said control meansincluding a radially extending pin carried by said other lens assemblyfor radial movement with respect to the optical axis and said supportmeans being formed with a recess for receiving said radially extendingpin, the latter being situated in the path of movement of said rod whenthe latter is displaced to disconnect said assemblies and said recess ofsaid support means being situated with respect to said radiallyextending pin at a location for receiving the latter pin only when otherlens assembly is at said predetermined location, so that said rod willactuate said control means to lock said other lens assembly at saidpredetermined location while simultaneously disconnecting said lensassemblies from each other.

1. In a zoom lens, a pair of coaxial lens assemblies, support meanssupporting said assemblies for movement along their common axis,manually operable means operatively connected with oNe of saidassemblies for displacing the latter along said axis, transmission meansoperatively connected with the other of said lens assemblies andnormally having an engaged position engaged with said manually operablemeans for transmitting movement therefrom to the other of said lensassemblies for displacing the latter also along said axis, saidtransmission means having a disengaged position providing for movementof said manually operable means independently of said transmission meanswithout transmission of movement from said manually operable means tothe other of said lens assemblies, and selecting means coacting withsaid transmission means for selectively placing the latter in saidengaged or disengaged positions thereof, so that when said selectingmeans places said transmission means in said disengaged positionthereof, said manually operable means will displace only said one lensassembly along said axis for enabling close-up photography to be carriedout with the zoom lens, said lens assemblies including an outer, frontlens assembly and an inner, rear lens assembly, said manually operablemeans being connected to said inner, rear lens assembly for displacingthe latter while said transmission means is operatively connected tosaid outer, front lens assembly for transmitting movement thereto fromsaid manually operable means when said selecting means places saidtransmission means in said engaged position thereof, whereby when saidlens assemblies are in an extreme telephoto position said selectingmeans can be actuated to place said transmission means in saiddisengaged position thereof so that said manually operable means willthen move said inner, rear lens assembly with respect to said outer,front lens assembly to carry out close-up photography.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 and wherein said manually operable meansoperatively connected to said one lens assembly forms a first manuallyoperable means, said transmission means including a second manuallyoperable means operatively connected to the other of said lensassemblies for displacing the latter along said axis, and saidtransmission means further including a connecting means for normallyreleasably connecting said first and second manually operable means toeach other for movement as a unit and for disconnecting said first andsecond manually operable means from each other when said transmissionmeans is in said disengaged position thereof, said selecting meanscoacting with said connecting means for displacing the latter betweenpositions respectively connecting said first and second manuallyoperable means to each other and disconnecting said first and secondmanually operable means from each other.
 3. The combination of claim 2and wherein each of said manually operable means includes a rotary ringsupported by said support means for rotation about said axis and acamming structure actuated by said ring and operatively connected with alens assembly for displacing the latter along said axis in response torotary movement of said ring.
 4. The combination of claim 2 and whereinsaid connecting means includes a pair of connecting portionsrespectively connected operatively with said first and second manuallyoperable means and one of which has a projection and the other of whichhas a recess receiving said projection when said pair of connectingportions coact to place said connecting means in said connectingposition thereof, said selecting means being operatively connected withone of said connecting portions for displacing it away from the other ofsaid connecting portions to place said connecting means in itsdisconnecting position to interrupt the transmission of motion from saidfirst and second manually operable means.
 5. The combination of claim 4and wherein said rings have adjoining peripheral portions, and saidconnecting portions of said connecting means being located at saidadjoining peripheral portions of said rings.
 6. The combination of claim4 and wherein said support means is formed with a recess and said secondmanually operable means carries a pin movable into said recess only whensaid ring of said second manually operable means is in a given angularposition locating said other, front lens assembly at said extremetelephoto position, said pin normally preventing said selecting meansfrom placing said connecting means in its disconnecting position exceptwhen said pin is free to move into said recess of said support means, sothat the interruption in the transmission of motion from said first tosaid second manually operable means can take place only when said other,front lens assembly is at said extreme telephoto position along saidaxis.
 7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said first manuallyoperable means maintains said pin in said recess of said support means,to prevent displacement of said other lens assembly from said extremetelephoto position along said axis, as long as said first manuallyoperable means is at a position different from the position it had whendisconnected from said second manually operable means.
 8. Thecombination of claim 4 and wherein said connecting portion connectedwith said first manually operable means is in the form of a leverturnably connected with said first manually operable means for swingingmovement between engaged and disengaged positions, said lever beingformed with said recess and the other of said connecting portions beingoperatively connected with said second manually operable means andhaving said projection received in said recess when said lever is insaid engaged position thereof.
 9. The combination of claim 8 and whereinsaid lever is swingable about an axis which extends radially withrespect to the optical axis.
 10. The combination of claim 8 and whereinsaid lever is swingable about an axis situated in a plane which isnormal to the optical axis.
 11. In a zoom lens a pair of coaxial lensassemblies, support means supporting said assemblies for movement alongtheir common axis, manually operable means operatively connected withone of said assemblies for displacing the latter along said axis,transmission means operatively connected with the other of said lensassemblies and normally having an engaged position engaged with saidmanually operable means for transmitting movement therefrom to the otherof said lens assemblies for displacing the latter also along said axis,said transmission means having a disengaged position providing formovement of said manually operable means independently of saidtransmission means without transmission of movement from said manuallyoperable means to the other of said lens assemblies, selecting meanscoacting with said transmission means for selectively placing the latterin said engaged or disengaged positions thereof, so that when saidselecting means places said transmission means in said disengagedposition thereof, said manually operable means will displace only saidone lens assembly along said axis for enabling close-up photography tobe carried out with the zoom lens, and control means coacting with saidselecting means for preventing the latter from placing said transmissionmeans in said disengaged position thereof unless said other lensassembly is at a predetermined location along said axis.
 12. Thecombination of claim 11 and wherein said control means coacts with saidtransmission means, when the latter is in its disengaged position, forreleasably holding said other lens assembly at said predeterminedlocation until said selecting means again returns said transmissionmeans to said engaged position thereof.
 13. The combination of claim 12and wherein said other lens assembly is an outer, front lens assemblywhile said one lens assembly is an inner, rear lens assembly, said lensassemblies being situated in an extreme telephoto position when saidtransmission means is engaged and said front lens assembly is at saidpredetermined location.
 14. The combination of claim 11 and wherein saidtransmission meanS includes a connecting means for releasably connectingsaid lens assemblies, said connecting means including a swingable levercarried by said manually operable means and having a projecting endportion, and said other lens assembly having a portion formed with arecess for receiving said projecting end portion of said lever when saidtransmission means is in said engaged position thereof, said selectingmeans being operatively connected to said lever for displacing thelatter to and from an engaged position where said end portion is in saidrecess, said lever being swingable about an axis parallel to the opticalaxis, and said control means including a pin carried by said other lensassembly for radial movement toward and away from the optical axis, saidsupport means being formed with a recess for receiving said pin when thelatter is displaced toward said optical axis and said recess beingaligned with said pin only when said other lens assembly is at saidpredetermined location, said lever when actuated by said selecting meansto displace said projecting end portion thereof out of said recess ofsaid other lens assembly to disengage said lens assemblies acting onsaid pin for displacing the latter into said recess of said supportmeans, and said one lens assembly maintaining said pin in said recess ofsaid support means except when said one lens assembly is returned to theposition it had with respect to said other lens assembly when thetransmission means was displaced to its disengaged position.
 15. Thecombination of claim 11 and wherein said transmission means includes aconnecting means for connecting and disconnecting said lens assembliesfrom each other, said connecting means including an elongated pincarried by said other lens assembly and extending parallel to theoptical axis, said one lens assembly having a portion formed with anopening for receiving said pin for connecting said lens assemblies toeach other, said selecting means including an elongated rod manuallydisplaceable parallel to the optical axis into engagement with said pinfor displacing the latter out of said opening of said one lens assemblyto disconnect said lens assemblies from each other, said control meansincluding a radially extending pin carried by said other lens assemblyfor radial movement with respect to the optical axis and said supportmeans being formed with a recess for receiving said radially extendingpin, the latter being situated in the path of movement of said rod whenthe latter is displaced to disconnect said assemblies and said recess ofsaid support means being situated with respect to said radiallyextending pin at a location for receiving the latter pin only when otherlens assembly is at said predetermined location, so that said rod willactuate said control means to lock said other lens assembly at saidpredetermined location while simultaneously disconnecting said lensassemblies from each other.